Tata and Airbus Join Hands Under ‘Make in India’ to Set Up Helicopter Manufacturing Unit
In a major push to India’s self-reliance in the aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus have partnered to launch the country’s first privately owned helicopter manufacturing facility in Kolar, Karnataka. The move is a significant step under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, aligning with the government’s vision of boosting domestic defence and aerospace capabilities.
A Strategic Leap in Aerospace Manufacturing
The upcoming plant will be dedicated to the final assembly, maintenance, repair, and overhaul of Airbus’s H125 civil helicopters, catering to both domestic and regional markets. Once operational, the Kolar unit will become the fourth such helicopter factory in the world, following similar facilities in France, the US, and Brazil.
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Why Karnataka Was Chosen Over Andhra Pradesh
According to The Economic Times, Karnataka secured the project over Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur due to its robust aerospace ecosystem, which includes:
Presence of TASL infrastructure
Generous land subsidies and capital incentives
Fast-track government clearances
A highly skilled workforce
Strong potential for future industrial expansion
Facility Details and Future Expansion Plans
Location: Vemgal Industrial Area, approx. two hours from Bengaluru
Land Area: 740,000 sq ft
Initial Capacity: 10 helicopters per year
Future Goal: Scale production with rising demand
The facility will not only focus on helicopter production but also aim to create a robust maintenance and support ecosystem in India, reducing reliance on foreign imports and service networks.
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Parallel Projects in Defence Sector
This project adds to the growing list of Tata-Airbus ventures, including the C295 aircraft assembly plant in Vadodara, Gujarat. Gujarat, now a hub for major aerospace and semiconductor investments, has faced political scrutiny and allegations of favoritism, especially as several central projects have landed there.
A Milestone in ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
This collaboration is seen as a game-changer for India’s aerospace ambitions, promising job creation, technology transfer, and a more competitive domestic aviation sector.
